WSP09671

• File Number: 8273.100.50
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Federal Agency Reports - BOR
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 2/1/1974
• Title: Economic Impacts of Changes in Salinity Levels of the Colorado River
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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farm ~nagement practices increases, crop production costs gener-

ally ipcrease accordingly. These increased costs attributed to

salinity adaptation can be considered as economic detriments.

The EP~ chose the yield decrement method to ,best represent the

agricu~ture damages associated with all the lower basin areas

and aS$umed no change in farm management practices, the amount

of watllr applied or the number of acres farmed. However, indi-

cation~ are strong that farmers will most likely adopt feasible

salinity adaptation practices rather than suffer yield losses or

reduce! acreage. Management practices which are or can be imple-

mented by farmers to mitigate salinity impacts are briefly reviewed

below: '

1. :As salinity and water costs increase, ditch lining is almost

man~atory as a method of reducing seepage losses and alleviat-

ing;soil salinization. Land leveling is necessary for uniform

distribution of water and the prevention of salt buildup in high

spo~s in a ficld.

2. :Moldboard and slip plowing to depths of 4 to 6 feet are

pra4tical and result in improved drainage efficiency and more

uniform water penetration.

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